Animal capturing and restraining device



Dec. 20, 1966 F. A. woon ANIMAL CAPTURING AND RESTRAINING DEVICE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April v, 1965 INVENTOR.

Fred A. Wood BY M@ av/1f Swann/,42N

ATTORNEY Dec. 20, 1966 F. A. WOOD ANIMAL CAPTURING AND RESTRAININGDEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 7, 1965 41 Vil/JA INVENTOR.

FR E D A. WOOD ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,292,591 ANIMALCAPTURING AND RESTRAINING DEVICE Fred A. Wood, 2916 Broadway, San Diego,Calif. 92102 Filed Apr. 7, 1965, Ser. No. 446,287 7 Claims. (Cl.119-153) This invention relates to an animal capturing and restrainingdevice and more particularly to an improved animal capturing andrestraining device that is capable of selectively ejecting 1a flexiblecable having a length sufficient to form a loop or bite over the snout,neck, legs, or other part of .an animal and capture the animal andcontrol it. The improved animal capturing and restraining device of thisinvention also provides for locking the free end of the cable incooperation with its ejected movement to enlarge the adjustable loop andfor other means to protect the animal captured and restrained.

Animal capturing and restraining devices are widely used by hunters,veterinarians, humane oicers, and the like for capturing and restrainingwild and vicious animals, snakes, lbirds, and the like, without causingpermanent injury either to the user or the animals. However, theserestraining devices, such as that shown in my Patent No. 2,704,052,present problems when used. For eX- ample, in such prior devices, thelength of the loop or bite of the flexible cable may be selectivelyreduced in size to grip the animal captured and restrained by manuallypulling on the cable. The gripping cable is then locked in position. Butwhen the animal is to be released, the loop cannot be enlarged quicklyand easily. Also it Ahas been found that in using prior art devices, therestrained animals or the like in twisting or fighting the restrainttwist the exible cable around the end of the longitudinal handleinjuring themselves. Also the animals will bite the end of the handleinjuring their teeth and gums and the cable will often abrade `or cutthrough the skin ofthe restrained animal. Thus while it is impossiblefor the animal or the like to escape, the animal can still damage itsteeth or other parts of its body through contact rwith the restrainingdevice and twist around in such a manner as to choke itself.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved andnovel yanimal capturing and restraining device that affords increasedphysical protection to the animal being captured and restrained.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved and novelanimal capturing and restraining device in which the restraining loopmay be rapidly and safely increased in size.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved and novelanimal capturing and restraining device wherein the length of thelongitudinal handle may be selectively increased while not aiecting thesize of the restraining loop.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved and novelanimal capturing and restraining device wherein the animal restrainedcannot twist the restraining cable around the longitudinal handle.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved andnovel animal capturing and restraining device that restricts thecarrying of fur, hair and the like by the cable into the internalmechanism f the longitudinal handle.

This invention ,concerns an elongated tubular body member with aflexible loop of plastic coated cable extending from one end of theIbody with the one end secured to the restraining end of the tubularbody member. The other or .free end of the cable passes through thetubular body member and extends freely from the open other end of thebody member. A locking mechanism at the other end of the tubular bodymember selectively 3,292,591 Patented Dec. 20, 1966 grasps the lfree endof the ilexible cable and restrains it from moving through the tubularybod-y member toward the restraining end and enlarging the sizeof theloop. The locking member however permits free movement of the flexiblecable through the body member toward the other end thus reducing t-hesize of the loop.

The novel and improved animal capturing and restraining member of thisinvention also has -a resilient means such as a spring or the like thatattaches to the cable adjacent the one end for quickly and automaticallymoving the cable youtward through the open restraining end of thetubular member, thereby facilitating selective and automatic increase inthe size of the loop. Further, the tubular body member comprises tubularmembers that telescope one over the other. Their composite length may beselectively held or adjusted by adjusting a friction loperating clasp.This may be accomplished without reducing the size of the existing cableloop. The flexible cable loop is coated with a plastic or other suitablematerial covering that protects the animal restrained from cable`abrasions, thereby reducing injuries to the animal. A ductile plasticsleeve is also positioned around the restraining end of the tubularmember -to be bitten 'by la captured animal or the like in a manner thatwill not injure the animals teeth, gums lor lips. Also the restrainedend of the flexible cable is held in a recess ringing the one end of thetubular member in a manner that the cable may freely slide around thecomplete circumference of the tubular member thus allowing the animaland the cable loop to rotate around the restraining device withouttwisting the cable too tightly around the animals neck.

Other objects Vand advantages of the invention will be apparent in thefollowing specification and drawing in which like reference numeralsidentify like parts of the various figures thereof and wherein,

FIGURE 1 is =a side View of the animal capturing and restraining devicewith portions broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction,

FIGURE 2 is a cross `sectional view of a mid-portion of the inventionillustrating the telescopic connection.

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view of the lower end of the capturing andrestraining device.

FIGURE 4 is -a view of the split ring used in my in- Vention.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-section of the upper end of therestraining device illustrating the improved means for continuously andpositively locking the loop forming member,

FIGURE 6 is a similar cross-section illustrating the action forreleasing the locking means,

FIGURE 7 is a section on line VII-VII of FIGURE 5.

Referring now to the drawing that illustrates a preferred formof theinvention, the animal capturing and restraining device has an elongatedtubular body lmember formed of two telescoping parts, tubular members 10and 12.

A flexible Icable 14 is secured tat its lower end 58 -by integrallyconnected yball 64 resting in circumferential groove 40 of the tubularbody member 12. The Afree end of the cable member 14 then passes throughthe two tubular members 10 and 12 after forming a loop orbite 58projecting out the restraining end of the tubular member 12. Rubber,plastic or the like hand grips 26 and 28 function to increase the usersability to maneuver the restraining device and place the cable loop overthe neck or other portion of the animal. The free end of the ,cable 20may be pulled through the tubular members 10 and 12 to decrease trhe`size -of ythe loop 58 in the obvious manner with the cable being lockedin the particular position by locking device 18.

The locking `assembly is supported completely within the tubular upperportion 10 adjacent the upper end of the body member 12 and comprisesessentially a camming member 133, a cage 134, la series of balls orbearings 135, a compression spring 136, and a retainer spring 137.

IReferring particularly to FIGURE 5, the camming member 113 is generallycylindrical, tting within the inner surface spaced below the open upperend of the latter and secured thereto Iby `means kof 1a pair of screws138 passing through the wall lthereof into suitably tapped holes 139. Anintermediate portion 140 of the camming .member 133 is provided with ahole 4or bore 141 loosely accommodating the cable 20 joined to the lowerend 142 thereof by means of an outwardly tapering surface 143. The upperend 144 of the camming member 133 is defined by a -tapered internal wall145 of circular cross-section converging into the bore y141. The conical'wall formed by the tapered surface 143 serves to guide the free end ofthe cable 20 into the bore 141 when assembling it through the guidepiece.

The cage 134 is of generally cylindrical and elongated form having :anouter surface 146 of somewhat smaller diameter than that of the cammingmember 133, and an internal bore 147 adapted to accommodate the cable20. The lower end 148 is provided with a counterbore 149 and a series ofequally spaced radial openings 150 having a maximum diameter equal tothat of t-he balls 135, three 'being shown. Each of the openings 150 isadapted to accommodate one of the balls 135, but are smaller at theirinner surfaces in the counterbore 149 than the maximum diameter of theballs 135, so that while the latter may be moved freely in an outwardsdirection, they cannot pass through the openings inwardly.

In assembly, the ylower end 148 of the cage 134 having the balls 135disposed in the openings 150 is adapted to t within the upper end 144 ofthe camming member 133 in such a manner that the outer surfaces of theballs 135 engage the tapered material wall 145 of the latter, forcingthe balls 135 inwardly when the cage 134 is disposed towards the lowerend of the body member, and permitting them to move outwardly when thecage 134 is moved upwardly towards the upper end 24. The balls 135 areof such diameter that when they are disposed within the tapered internalwall 145 of the camming member 133 their adjacent inner surfaces bearagainst the cable 20 when the latter is passed through the bores 141 and147 of the camming member 133 and the cage 134 respectively,. thuslocking the latter against movement therein. When the cage 134 is movedupwardly the 'balls 135 `are released from engagement with the cammingmember 133 freeing the cable 20 for movement.

The compression spring 136 is adapted for support around the cage 134and its lower end bears against a shoulder 151 formed as an undercut ofthe outer surface 146 of the latter. A washer 152 is provided having anexternal diameter adapted to lit within the tubular portion and acentral hole accommodating the cage 134. The inner surface 118 of thetubular member 10 is provided -with a recess 153 adjacent the open upperend 114 Kof the body member 10 adapted to support the retainer spring137. On assembly, the washer 152 is disposed above the spring 136, andthe cage assembly 134 is 'retained in position by the retainer 137. Theaction of the spring 136 between the washer 152 and the shoulder 151biases the cage 134 towards the camming member 133 engaging the balls135 against the tapered surface 145 tand forcing them inwardly to gripand lock the cable 20 rand thus serving as a continuous and positivelock against moving the latter towards the loop 58, while permittingfree movement of the cable 20 in the direction of the free end.

The upper end 154 of the cage 134 is adapted to extend through and abovethe open upper end 114 of the body member 10 and is threaded to -supporta release handle 24. The latter is generally cylindrical and is providedwith a counterbore 156 in one end having clearance with the outersurface of the tubular upper member 10 to cooperate with the outersurface. The upper and lower edges of the handle 24 are rounded topresent a smooth exterior contour. A central bore 157 is adapted toengage the threaded upper end 154 yof the cage 134 and a central axialhole 158 is provided through which the ca-ble 20 is adapted to pass onassembly. A guard 19 is provided having an outer surface conforming indiameter to the outer surface of the release handle 24 `and is adaptedto be secured as by brazing to t-he outer Surface of the tubular uppermember 10 below the release handle 24, so that the curved lower edge ofthe latter lies within a recess formed by an inwardly inclined edge 159when the release handle 24 and locking assembly 115 are in theiroperative positions. The lower edge of the guard 19 isformed by anoutwardly inclined surface 160 to provide a faired contour with thesurface 10. Y

It will be seen from FIGURE 6, that when the release handle 24 is raisedby holding the lbody member 10 with one hand and pulling the releasehandle 24 with the other, the cage 134 is moved so that the balls 135 donot engage the camming member 133, thus releasing the cable 20 in orderthat an object restrained in the loop 58 is released. The guard 19prevents inadvertent release of the device caused -by the body member Aslipping through the hands of the operator.

To facilitate assembly and disassembly of the locking assembly 115, apair of diametrically opposed openings 161 are provided in the upper endof the tubular member 10 which correspond and align with a radialIopening 162 in the cage 134 when the release handle 155 is in itsreleasing position. A wire, nail, or a-wl may -be inserted through theopenings 161 and 162 to lock the tubular member 10 and the cage 134against relative rotation so that the release handle 24 |may 'betightened or loosened.

It thus may :be seen that while t-he present invention embodies apositive and continuous locking means, it is substantially confinedwithin the contours of the body member A and presents no externalirregularities that might cause inadvertent operation or disassembly ofthe device.

The tubular body members may have any desired length. However, thedevice to be safely used will have kto have an operational length thatis greater than that length that a user can handle during climbing inmountains, in trees, or the like. Accordingly tubular member 12telescopes within tubular member 10 and the respective members are heldin this secured position by a sleeve 30 that threads on the end oftubular member 10, A split ring 32 is drawn into contact with the curvedinternal surface 36 of sleeve member 30. This causes the sleeve member30 to concentrically squeeze against the outer surface of the end oftubular member 12 holding tubular member 12 in a fixed telescopicposition relative to tubular member 10.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the loop 58 of the cable 14 that contacts theanimal has .a exible sheath on the outside that may be made of a plasticsuch as Teflon, ber glass or the like. The cable may be constructed ofwoven or twisted steel threads in the normal manner. The tip of the endportion 16 has -a head portion 38 mounted thereon. This head portion 38has internal threads that coact with the external threads on tubularmember 12 holding the two members together. A set screw 50 locks the twomembers together and a ring recess 40 in the side of head 38 receives aball 64 that is fixed to the end of the cable 14. A sleeve member 42 isheld in spaced relationship to ring groove 40 and is held in thisposition by split ring 46 that lits into ring key slot 44. As may beseen, sleeve member 42 closes a sufficient portion of the ring groove 40to hold ball member 64 within the groove. However ball member 64 and theend of the cable 58 is able to freely rotate around the entirecircumference of the end 16 of the animal capturing and restrainingdevice.

The free end of cable 14 is threaded through a sleeve 56 that is securedby welding, brazing or the like to the internal surface 57 of head 38. Aspring 54 is fixed to the end of sleeve member 56 and encircles thecable member 14 and its outer plasticsheath 22 to the point ofcontacting position locking washer or member 60. Washer 60 is drawnagainst the end of theV plastic coating on the cable 14 by spring 54. Asleeve member 61 between Washer 60 and stop 62 prevents movement of thewasher 60 beyond the point of stop 62. Thus spring 54 when tensioneddraws, pulls or pushes cable 14 through opening 41 of the end 16 toenlarge the loop or bite of the end of the flexible member 14.

A plastic teeth guard 52 coats the outer surface of the restraining endof the tubular member 12 adjacent end 16. This plastic material 52 maybe made from ductal plastic that allows the animal to bite the end ofthe animal capturing and restraining device without doing damage toeitherthe device or the animals teeth, gums or the like.

Operation In operation, the animal capturing and restraining deviceshould have a loop or bite 58 in the end of the cable 22 that issuliicient in size to encircle the neck or any other part of the animalthat the user Wants to capture or restrain. Generally with this lengthof l-oop, spring 54 has completely retracted so that no force is exertedby Washer 60 against the longitudinal length of vthe cable 14. Cable 14is in a static position with the desired size loop and end 58 that mayfreely slide in channel 40 around the end 16 of the tubular member. Thusthe cable loop 58 is easily maneuvered to pass over the appropriateportions ofthe animals body. v

After the loop has been passed over or around say for example the neckof an animal, then the free end 58 of cable 14 is pulled by hand throughtubular members 10 and 12 thereby decreasing the size lof the loop 58 tothe point where the loop is tightly grasping the animal. The portions ofcable 16 pulled through the open end of tubular member is held by thelocking device 18 as described in Amy previous Patent Number 2,704,502.Also during this pulling of the free end of the cable 14, washer 60 hasbeen moved away from sleeve 56 thus stretching spring 54.

Should the composite length of telescoped members 10 and 12 not besuicient to hold the restrained animal a safe distance away from theuser, then prior to capturing or grasping the animal, sleeve 30 isloosened thus releasing the split ring 32 from its compression gripagainst the outer surface of the tubular member 12. Tubular member 12 isthen adjusted telescopically within the tubular member 10 and sleevemember 30 is again tightened against the threads on the end of thetubul-ar member 10 again squeezing the split ring 32 into a graspinggrip on the outer surface of the tubular member 12, The length of therestraining device is now long enough so that the animal may be moved toa point such as in 4a cage or the like where it is desired to releasethe animal. The locking member 18 then is pulled in a direction awayfrom the end of the tubular member 10. This releases the cable 20 whichis then ejected through the open end of the tubular member by spring 54and washer 60 pushing and pressing against the outer plastic coating 22.This releases the grip of the cable on the animal and the animal is ableto safely escape from the restraining device.

While the animal is held in the restraining device the plastic coating58 on the cable 14 protects the -animal from cutting by the metal bersin the cable, or abrasions therefrom. Also after the loop has beenplaced around the animals neck, leg, snout or the like, the cable 14 isthen pulled through sleeve 56 with the length of sleeve 56 providing asufficient space for restricting the passage on the cable of animalhair, fur or the like into the tubular member 12 and eventually cloggingthe operation of the spring 54.

In moving the animal, the tubular member can, of course, be rotated withthe end ball 64 rotating in the ring groove 40 in a manner that thecable 15 is not twisted around the animals neck.

It should be recognized that it is desirable to construct `the tubularmember and other portions of this invention out of light but strong andrigid materials. Accordingly the tubular member of this invention andthe cable may be constructed of metals, laminated plastics, new type ofplastic fibers or the like.

Having thus described my invention, that which I claim to be novel anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An animal capturing and restraining device having an elongatedtubular member with one end of a flexible loop forming member beingsecured adjacent the restraining end of said tubular member and with theother end of said loop forming member `being adapted to pass through andextend from said tubular member, the improvement comprising,

said restraining end of said tubular member having a circumferentialgroove slidably retaining said one end of said loop forming member forsliding movement in said groove around said tubular member.

2. An animal capturing and restraining device having an elongatedtubular member with one end of a exible loop forming member beingsecured adjacent the restraining end of said tubular member and with theother end of said loop forming member being adapted to pass through andextend from said tubular'member, the improvement comprising,

said one end of said loop forming member having a ball on the endthereof,

and said restraining end of said tubular member having a circumferentialgroove retaining said ball in circumferential sliding relationship Itosaid tubular member.

3. An animal capturing and restraining device having an elongatedtubular member with one end of a flexible loop forming member beingsecured adjacent the restraining end of said tubular member and with theother end of said loop forming member being adapted to pass through andextend from said tubular member, the improvement comprising,

said restraining end of said tubular member having a tip portion with alongitudinal extension means projecting from said end into the volume ofsaid tubular member and encircling said loop forming. member forpreventing passage of hair into said tubular member with said loopforming member,

and said ltip portion having a circumferential groove slidably retainingsaid one end of said loop forming member for sliding movement in saidgroove around said tubular member.

4. An animal capturing and restraining device having a rigid elongatedtubular member with one end of a ilexible loop forming member beingsecured adjacent the restraining end of said tubular member and with theother end of said loop forming member being adapted to pass through andextend from said tubular member, the improvement comprising,

said restraining end of said tubular member having a tip portion withlongitudinal extension means projecting from said end into the volume ofsaid tubular member and encircling said loop forming member forpreventing passage of hair into said tubular member with said loopforming member,

said tip portion having a circumferential groove slidably retaining saidone end of said loop forming member for sliding movement in said groovearound said tubular member,

and the outer surface of said tubular member adjacent said tip portionbeing enclosed with sleeve means of ductile material for providing aIbiting surface for the captured and restrained animal.

5. An animal capturing and restraining device having an elongatedtubular body member with one end of a exible loop forming member beingsecured adjacent the 7 restraining end of said body member and with theother end of said loop forming member being adapted to pass through andextend from said tubular body member and with locking means forselectively preventing movement of said exible member through said bodymember to- Ward said restraining end while allowing said flexible memberto move freely in Ithe other direction, the improvement comprising,

resilient means secured to said body member for selectively forcing agiven portion of said ilexible member out of said restraining end uponrelease of said locking means, and said restraining end of said tubularmember having a circumferential groove slidably retaining said one endof said loop forming member for sliding movement in said groove aroundsaid tubular member. 6. An animal capturing and restraining devicehaving an elongated tubular body member with one end of a flexible loopforming member being secured adjacent the restraining end of said bodymember and with the other end of said loop forming member being adaptedto pass through and extend from said tubular member and with lockingmeans for selectively preventing movement of said ilexible memberthrough said body member toward said restraining end while allowing saidexible member to move freely in the other direction, the improvementcomprising,

resilient means secured between said tubular member and said loopforming member for selectively forcing a given portion of said ilexiblemember out of said restraining end upon release of said locking means,

said body member comprising at least two telescoping members,

said one end of said loop forming member having a ball on the endthereof,

and said restraining end of said tubular member having a circumferentialgroove retaining said ball in circumferential sliding relationship tosaid tubular member.

7. An yanimal capturing and restraining device having an elongatedtubular body member with one end of a flexible loop forming member beingsecured adjacent the restraining end of said body member and with theother end of said loop forming member being adapted to pass through andextend from said tubular body member 8 and with locking means forselectively preventing movement of said exible member through said bodymember toward said restraining end-while allowing said flexible memberto move freely in the other direction, the improvement comprising,

resilient means secured between said tubular member and said loopyforming member for selectively forcing a given portion of said exiblemember out of said. restraining end upon release of said locking means,lsaid tubular member comprising at least two telescoping members, saidrestraining end of said tubular member having a tip portion withlongitudinal extension vmeans projecting into said end of said tubularmember and encircling said loop forming member for preventing passage ofhair into said tubular member with said loop forming member, said oneend of said loop forming member having a ball on the end thereof, saidtip portion having an outer circumferential groove for retaining saidball in circumferential sliding relationship to said tubular member, theouter surface of said tubular member adjacent said tip portion beingenclosed with sleeve means of ductile material for providing a bitingsurface for the captured .and restrained animal, said exible loopforming member comprising having a plastic coating, and said flexibleloop forming member being freely rotatable around the longitudinal axisof said tubular member. l

a ,cable References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS1,257,634 2/1918 Perrin 119-153 1,382,520 6/1921 Lundene 119-1532,499,511 3/1950 Koger 119--153 2,704,052 3/1955 Wood 119-153 2,798,4587/ 1957 Odermatt 119-106 FOREIGN PATENTS 219,302 12/ 1958 Australia.

SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner. HUGH R. CHAMBLEE, Examiner.

1. AN ANIMAL CAPTURING AND RESTRAINING DEVICE HAVING AN ELONGATEDTUBULAR MEMBER WITH ONE END OF A FLEXIBLE LOOP FORMING MEMBER BEINGSECURED ADJACENT THE RESTRAINING END OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER AND WITH THEOTHER END OF SAID LOOP FORMING MEMBER BEING ADAPTED TO PASS THROUGH ANDEXTEND FROM SAID TUBULAR MEMBER, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING, SAIDRESTRAINING END OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVESLIDABLY RETAINING SAID ONE END OF SAID LOOP FORMING MEMBER FOR SLIDINGMOVEMENT IN SAID GROOVE AROUND SAID TUBULAR MEMBER.